Partizan vs Hamrun Spartans prediction, preview, team news and more | UEFA Europa Conference League playoffs 2022-23

Partizan will welcome Hamrun Spartans to the Stadion Partizana for the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff tie on Thursday.

The Serbian outfit dropped into the competition following their elimination from the UEFA Europa League qualifiers by AEK Larnaca last week. A 4-3 aggregate victory helped the Cypriots secure progress.

Hamrun Spartans booked their spot at this stage with a penalty shootout victory over Bulgarian side Levski Sofia. They overturned a 1-0 home defeat in the first leg with a last-gasp 2-1 victory in Sofia before claiming a 4-1 win in the shootout.

Partizan followed up their continental disappointment with a 1-0 away victory over Mladost GAT in the Serbian Super Liga. Svetozar Markovic scored the winning goal in the sixth minute of injury time.

Partizan vs Hamrun Spartans Head-to-Head

This will be the first continental meeting between the two sides. The hosts returned to winning ways over the weekend after a poor run of five games without a win in all competitions.

Hamrun have won four of their last five games in all competitions.

Partizan form guide (all competitions): W-D-L-L-D

Hamrun Spartans form guide (all competitions): W-L-W-W-W

Partizan vs Hamrun Spartans Team News

Partizan

Danilo Pantic is the only known injury concern for the hosts. The 25-year-old has been ruled out with a cruciate ligament injury.

Injury: Danilo Pantic

Suspension: None

Hamrun Spartans

There are no known injury or suspension concerns for the visiting side.

Injuries: None

Suspension: None

Partizan vs Hamrun Spartans Predicted XI

Partizan Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Aleksandar Popovic (GK); Slobodan Urosovic, Svetozar Markovic, Igor Vujacic, Marko Zivkovic; Patrick Andrade, Ljubomir Fejsa; Bibras Natcha; Mihajlo Petkovic, Ricardo Gomes, Fousseni Diabete

Hamrun Spartans Predicted XI (5-3-2): Henry Bonello (GK); Ryan Camenzuli, Rodrigo Callegari, Marceina Emerson, Ognjen Bjelicic, Juan Corbalan; Eder, Roko Praa, Matthew Guillaumier; Igor Nedeljikovic, Jonny

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Partizan vs Hamrun Spartans Prediction

Partizan have been significantly below their best this season but enter the tie as firm favorites owing to their superior firepower.

Hamrun Spartans have nothing to lose and are heavy underdogs. This could see them give their all and their shock victory over Levksi last week could inspire them to keep their spectacular run on the continent going.

However, the difference in quality between the two sides means Partizan are likely to claim a comfortable victory.

Prediction: Partizan 3-0 Hamrun Spartans

About the author

Elvis is a seasoned football journalist and has been with Sportskeeda for more than 6 years. He specializes in writing match previews across several leagues and competitions around the world, and his insightful tips have amassed a total readership in excess of 9.2 million till date. Elvis' meticulous attention to detail and strictly following SK's editorial guidelines have been key to achieving a vast readership. He has also exclusively covered the 2021 Nigerian Universiy Games and has provided research for an upcoming biography for a Nigerian football legend.

Elvis has been a Super Eagles fan since 2004, and them beating defending champions Cameroon in the AFCON that year left a lasting impact on him. He supports Sporting Lagos at club level and loves to watch games live at the Onikan Stadium due to its buzzing atmosphere. His favorite football players are former Nigerian forward, Osaze Odemwingie and former Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez.

If Elvis could change one football rule, it would be to not be booked for celebrating with pitch side fans. He believes that football is a passionate game and celebrations should be encouraged to the fullest. When not analyzing the latest previews, Elvis indulges in activities such as swimming, reading, and karaoke.

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Edited by Peter P